The Power 100

Power is an odd duck. You can have it, but if you don’t choose to use it, are you really influential? The truly powerful are those who wield clout effectively, in public or behind the scenes . For our fourth annual Power 100, we used a variety of methods for compiling the list. Most on our minds: Whose phone call would you NEVER put on hold?

1. Robert Castellini, Chairman, Castellini Co.This savvy, determined businessman got The Banks moving, took over as chair of the Cincinnati Business Committee and whipped out the checkbook for Reds relief pitching.

4. James Anderson, CEO, Children’s Hospital Medical CenterHe continues to prove how health care — and the right kind of healthcare executive — can be a major economic, development and civic force in a metro area.

5. Lindner Family, American Financial GroupNo Tristate business family matches the civic and philanthropic impact delivered by Carl H. Lindner Jr. and sons S. Craig (left) and Carl III, and now they’re making possible the construction of Cincy’s tallest skyscraper.

6. Mark Mallory, Mayor, City of CincinnatiHe has performed better than his critics presumed, both behind the scenes and as a cheerleader for the entire region.

7. Bill Butler, Chairman, Corporex Cos.Tom Banta is taking the operational reins, but Butler is still Chairman of the Board, and Corporex’s Ovation project on the river will get national attention.

8. James Votruba, President, Northern Kentucky UniversityUnder his leadership, NKU’s ambitions, accomplishments and growth seem to know no bounds — and as it ascends, so do the communities south of the river.

9. John Barrett, CEO, Western & Southern Financial GroupThe announcement of the city’s tallest skyscraper, completing Western & Southern’s Queen City Square development, has people talking again about what Barrett is capable of accomplishing.

10. John Pepper, Co-Chair, National Underground Freedom CenterHe’s not as visibly active here as some might hope for, but when it comes to business impact and connections, the very name of the former P&G CEO still carries influential weight.

11. George Schaefer Jr., Chairman, Fifth Third BankHe’s no longer CEO, but Schaefer still carries considerable clout, in his company and in the community.

12. James Wiseman, VP External Affairs, Toyota Manufacturing North America With roots in the Bluegrass State, including a stint as CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Wiseman holds the key community-influence position at the Erlanger headquarters of what is now the No. 1 automaker in the world. And his influence stretches wide and deep across the Ohio River.

13. James Wainscott, Chairman, President & CEO, AK SteelHe survived a months-long strike and brought West Chester Township its first corporate headquarters of a Fortune 500 company.

14. Margaret Buchanan, Publisher, The EnquirerShe’s still queen of the Tristate’s largest media company, but The Enquirer is showing strain.

15. John Boehner, CongressmanAs West Chester’s answer to Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader is arguably the most powerful Republican in the land, outside of the White House. The 2008 elections will say much about where he goes from there.

16. Jean-Robert de Cavel vs. Jeff Ruby, Who’s the Top Restaurateur?Their regional culinary empires keep growing. Jean-Robert runs Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, Jean-Robert’s Chalk Food + Wine, JeanRo Bistro, Jean-Robert’s Greenup Café — and he’s house caterer to the new Newport Aquarium ballroom, Currents. Jeff’s local portfolio: Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, The Precinct, The Waterfront, Carlo & Johnny’s and Tropicana. His external reach goes from Belterra Casino and that “No thanks, OJ” Louisville location to, soon, a new spot in St. Louis. One’s a chef. One’s an operator. They both know good food and service, how to run a business and how to generate publicity. We call this competition a win for Greater Cincinnati.

17. Otto Budig Jr., CEO and arts patronHis family foundation continues to be the lifeblood of the arts in the region.

18. Bill Cunningham, Talk Radio’s Greatest AmericanWithout any local TV superstars, the King of WLW reigns as our leading media figure. What Willie says still becomes conventional wisdom amongst many Cincinnatians.

19. Joe Deters, Hamilton County ProsecutorNo huge victories, no major setbacks. Hamilton County’s strongest Republican is well-positioned to move up the political ladder.

20. Most Rev. Daniel Pilarczyk, ArchbishopSo what if the megachurches are booming? He remains the most important religious leader in the Tristate.

21. Kathryn Merchant, CEO, Greater Cincinnati FoundationShe continues to exemplify how to wisely manage an influential non-profit organization and contribute behind the scenes to the greater community’s civic and business progress.

22. Robert A. “Bob” McDonald, Chief operating officer, Procter & GambleThe vice chair of global operations was named P&G’s first COO last year, and seems best positioned to succeed Lafley as CEO. McDonald’s years of experience in Asia — which should drive Procter growth for decades — is a major plus in his pedigree.

23. Mike Brown, Owner, Cincinnati BengalsLast year we said his skills as a CEO would be tested by how his team performed. Well, that report card is in. Let’s see how Brown and his organization respond in the months to come.

25. S. Kay Geiger, Regional President, PNC BankHer appointment in January, replacing John Taylor, made Kay Geiger the top executive of the region’s fourth-largest bank and, it appears, the very first woman president of a major bank in Greater Cincinnati. She brings 29 years of professional experience, including stints with LaSalle, U.S. Bank and Huntington Bank. A Leadership Cincinnati grad and YWCA Woman of Achievement, Geiger has deep, accomplished roots in civic life here.

Most Likely to Generate National Media Attention:

Butler County Sheriff, Richard JonesImmigration will be a hot-button issue in the 2008 national elections, and you can bet Jones will be pushing that button like a Playstation 3. His position? The sign in the sheriff's parking lot is a hint.

Suburban Movers & ShakersKeep an eye on these upcoming power players• Larry Kinzer, general manager of Argosy Casino, is not only overseeing the business that represents economic salvation for Southeast Indiana. He’s showing genuine concern for those communities, including philanthropic support.• Mason resident David Smith, economic development director for Duke Energy, is vice chair of the city’s Port Authority, which is poised to created a master plan for 2,000 acres of prime property near I-71.• Dr. Robert Sommers, president of Butler Technology and Career Development Schools, has made this Hamilton-based institution the largest joint vocational school in Ohio, and he’s becoming a commmunity force as well.• Daniel E. Tobergte, CEO, Tri-County Economic Development Corp. Tobergte has led what is known as Northern Kentucky Tri-ED into becoming a hot engine of business development south of the river.

Hot DocWhen some of the best athletes in the world get injured, many of then look to Cincy for their surgical repairs. Timothy Kremchek, M.D. — the medical director and chief orthopedic physician for the Cincinnati Reds, and a key stakeholder in Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine — has helped keep many of America’s stars on the field, including major league baseball players Ken Griffey Jr., Aaron Boone, B.J. Ryan and Milton Bradley.

Power Family: The NeyersEverywhere you turn, the Neyer family seems to have a hand in major commercial real estate development, with projects such as Columbia Square, Cornerstone at Norwood, Kenwood Crossing, Keystone Parke, Linden Pointe on the Lateral, Michigan Terrace and Red Bank Crossing II. Joseph Neyer started it all with a carpentry construction company in 1894. Family firms now include AL. Neyer Inc. (David F. Neyer, CEO; William L. Neyer, executive VP; James T. Neyer, VP), Neyer Properties (Dan Neyer, president), Neyer Construction Inc. (John R. Neyer, president; Tina L. Neyer, VP), Neyer Holdings Corp., focused on merchant banking and real estate (Tom Neyer Jr., chairman, CEO and former Hamilton County commissioner), and Neyer Management.

Biggest Comeback: Roxanne QuallsShe was mayor when the position was mostly ceremonial. Now back on City Council, insiders say she wants a turn as a mayor that now has some real power. Mark Mallory is watching her every move.

Political Star RisingMinority whip in the Ohio House of Representatives in 2000, Steven L. Driehaus is making impressions as a smart, personable politico with a future. He’s a fiscally conservative Democrat from the heart of western Cincy (Elder High School, class of 1984). Some day we may see a showdown between Driehaus and another powerful state rep from the west side, Republican Majority Whip Bill Seitz — maybe for Steve Chabot’s seat in Congress.

Most In-DemandNewcomer: Dusty BakerThe new Cincinnati Reds manager will enjoy a honeymoon with hopeful fans. With new pitching, let’s see how many more wins the team can tally under his guidance.

Civic Star RisingKevin Ghassomian, attorney with Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald PLLS attorney, is one of three co-chairs of Agenda 360, the regional development partnership of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and Citizens for Civic Renewal. Aside from numerous awards for his professional accomplishments (including Cincy Leading Lawyer recognition), at age 34, Ghassomian has a knockout civic resume. He serves on the Chamber board of directors and its C-Change Leadership Development Program, and he’s an active trustee of the Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center, the Corporation for Findlay Market and Friends of Findlay Market, Friends of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky. And Greater Cincinnati wine lovers are grateful Ghassomian helped found The Bacchanalian Society here in 2002.

Top Cincy Cheerleader: Nick LacheyFrom the School for Creative and Performing Arts to boy band superstars 98 Degrees and MTV, Nicholas Scott Lachey, 34, emerged as Cincy’s best celebrity promoter and goodwill ambassador on NBC’s Clash of the Choirs. Keep the momentum going, Nick.